I remember back in 1989 I moved in with uncle Billy and aunt April for a few months when I went to Atlanta from Tuscaloosa. Wendy was still in high school at the time and I was looking for a job.  I would try to help out with things that uncle Billy would be doing around the house but I wasn’t very knowledgeable about  household maintenance at the time. That didn’t matter, he seemed happy to have an extra hand and didn’t seem to have any issues with my ignorance. He would simply patiently instruct me about what we were doing and I tried my best to follow instructions. We never did anything too major. Hanging a swing, repairs to the deck, fixing leaky pipes under the sink and maybe installing a new lock set were all we ever did but it was a good learning experience for me and I took those skills and knowledge with me when I left.
He had a Shopsmith wood working /machining setup in the basement. I remember that after I moved out he’d let me come by and use it from time to time. One day he told me he was selling it and he asked me if I knew anyone that would be interested in it. I did know a few folks but secretly I wanted it. Unfortunately I was living in an apartment in town by then and had no place to put it.  Plus, I probably couldn’t have afforded it at the time anyway. 
I still think about that few months I lived there and looking back on it now it was a pivotal time in my life. If it hadn’t  been for the generosity of aunt April and uncle Billy who knows where I would have ended up. I lived in Atlanta for another 25 or more years. I met my wife there, had my son there and started my own business before moving back to south Alabama. I will never forget uncle Billy cooking dinner for us in the evenings, working on the house and us both laughing and complaining about MeMaw in our personal times together, out of the earshot of those who might not appreciate our humor. 
Rest in peace Uncle Billy. You will be missed.

Dear April and Family,

I am saddened by the passing of Willie.  We have had so many years of connection that it is hard to believe how fast time flies.  You are in  my prayers during this time of adjustment of the loss of your much loved Willie.  Please accept my wife, Kimey, and my condolences at your loss.

I’m thinking of you April and the family!  May God carry you through!  All my love. 😍

Uncle Bill,

     Thank you for being my favorite uncle.  You came into my life when I was young and needed a friend.  You were my roommate and the person I looked up to.  You taught me that life is meant to be enjoyed. Your humor (no charge) will always live thru us (and in my heart).  We miss your stories about you and paw paw & and uncle Ralph.   We will always miss you fun Uncle Bill.

On behalf of Wendy, Woody, Aunt April, Mary, Ms Wood, Mom & Dad, Granny & Paw Paw (Elaine), I love you Uncle Bill from my heart,

Robbie Tomlin

Uncle Bill ,you will be sadly missed by our family. We know you are going to a better place. When I think back over all the beautiful memories, I think of the time when you would stay with us, while working in Mobile , you put a extra  bed in Robbie's room & then said you were gonna teach him an easy way to clean his room.  So you took all his stuffed animals we collected from our trips to Disney  among other things & tossed all in the attic, never to be seen again. So from that point on, he assumed this was the proper way to make more room in the house. (Toss it all in the attic) . Thankfully,  you were here for his college graduation, and have shared in the most important events of our lives. You would always light up a room with your smile, and your joy was contagious.  Yes, you will be sadly missed. We love you, Glenda & Robert Tomlin (and Robbie)

Your famous words "All Right"!!

We miss you uncle Bill!

OBITUARY

Willie W. Shiver

May 6, 1941 – January 29, 2026

Eternal Hills Funeral Home, Cremation and Memory Gardens

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